July 30, 2023
Three-day trainings on Participatory Assessment on Climate and Disaster Risk (PACDR) were held, attended by ten members of the Community Disaster Management Committee (CDMC) and five officers in each people’s organization (PO), as well as five members of the respective Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (BDRRM). A joint training was held for the PO in Sitio Nangka Ville and Sitio Wang Yu on July 15 to 17, 2023, while a training was held for Sitio Lawis on July 21 – 23, 2024 and the last training for Sitio Tierra Dulce on July 28 – 30, 2024.
The trainings enhanced awareness on the preventive actions and preparedness measures to be undertaken that can substantially reduce the damage caused by disasters. The participants also formulated their respective Disaster Risk Maps consisting of a community map, hazard map and resource map. The community maps overlaid with hazard maps indicated vulnerabilities like landslides, flood-prone areas, and fire risks and allows targeted preparedness efforts to be directed to those most at risk
Creating the community map, hazard map and resource map is crucial. The community map provides insights into the layout and infrastructure of the area, such as critical facilities, population density, and access routes. Understanding these local dynamics is crucial for devising effective response plans tailored to the specific needs of the community. The resource map helps identify available resources within the community that can be mobilized in the event of a disaster. This includes both tangible resources like emergency shelters, medical facilities, and water sources, as well as intangible resources like trained personnel and community networks.
Developing a comprehensive disaster risk map by the associations themselves fostered community ownership of the preparedness efforts and increased awareness of the specific risks faced by the communities. The making of the maps served as a foundational tool for informed decision-making, community engagement, and proactive disaster preparedness, enabling the people’s organizations to effectively address fire and flood hazards within their communities.
